Chattanooga TN vs Vancouver WA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Chattanooga, TN
Tennessee · Population: 182,832
- Median HH Income$61,028
- Median Home Price$322,291
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+35.5%
Vancouver, WA
Washington · Population: 192,696
- Median HH Income$78,156
- Median Home Price$510,577
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Vancouver
192,696
Vancouver +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Chattanooga +
Vancouver
37.5
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Vancouver
13.6%
Vancouver +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Vancouver
70.6%
Vancouver +
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Vancouver
3.1%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Vancouver
5.3%
Vancouver +
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Vancouver
17.2%
Vancouver +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 192,696 | Vancouver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 37.5 | Chattanooga + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 13.6% | Vancouver + |
| White | 58.4% | 70.6% | Vancouver + |
| Black | 28.6% | 3.1% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 5.3% | Vancouver + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 17.2% | Vancouver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Vancouver
$78,156
Vancouver +
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Vancouver
$42,839
Vancouver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Vancouver
$76,120
Vancouver +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Chattanooga +
Vancouver
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Vancouver
11.1%
Vancouver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Chattanooga +
Vancouver
31.5%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $78,156 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $42,839 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $76,120 | Vancouver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.6% | Chattanooga + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 11.1% | Vancouver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 31.5% | Chattanooga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Chattanooga +
Vancouver
$510,577
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Chattanooga +
Vancouver
49.9%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $510,577 | Chattanooga + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 49.9% | Chattanooga + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Vancouver
383
Vancouver +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Chattanooga +
Vancouver
3409
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 383 | Vancouver + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 3409 | Chattanooga + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Vancouver
36.2%
Vancouver +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Vancouver
9.9%
Vancouver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Vancouver
19.1%
Vancouver +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Vancouver
9.4%
Vancouver +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Vancouver
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Vancouver
11.7%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 36.2% | Vancouver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 9.9% | Vancouver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 19.1% | Vancouver + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 9.4% | Vancouver + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.3% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 11.7% | Vancouver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Vancouver
52.1°F
Vancouver +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Vancouver
41.6 in
Vancouver +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 52.1°F | Vancouver + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 41.6 in | Vancouver + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Vancouver
7.5 µg/m³
Vancouver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Vancouver
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Vancouver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
Vancouver
25.1 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 25.1 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vancouver leads in median household income at $78,156, while chattanooga offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $322,291. On public safety, Vancouver is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. Chattanooga has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Vancouver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Vancouver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
Compare More Cities
Chattanooga, TN vs New York, NYChattanooga, TN vs Los Angeles, CAChattanooga, TN vs Chicago, ILChattanooga, TN vs Houston, TXChattanooga, TN vs Phoenix, AZChattanooga, TN vs Philadelphia, PA